Al Pacino

The man who redefined dinner-table conversations.

He’s short, effectively missing out on the screen presence a Daniel Day Lewis or a Tom Hanks command. He’s meek in frame unlike the De Niros and Denzel Washingtons. He’s not conventionally attractive when pitted against the likes of Brad Pitt,Tom Cruise and co. And yet, he manages to eclipse them all. It’s his eyes, pensive and perceptive in equal measure, which hold the key to his sui generis charm. In spite of being exposed to his work quite recently, I’ve gobbled up a lot of his films in quick time- Godfather (I, II&III), Scarface, Scent of a Woman, Dog Day Afternoon, Serpico, And Justice for all, The Devil’s Advocate, Insomnia, The Irishman, Frankie and Johnny, Ocean’s Thirteen, to name a few. (Once you get obsessed with him, failing to fall into the Al Pacino rabbit hole is impossible).

It all started with my first reading of 'The Godfather I'; I was struck by Puzo’s compendious writing and hence curious to see the movie adaptation. I watched the film, and only a few minutes in, Brando did what Brando does and had me mesmerized; his bulldog jaws filling the better part of the screen and deep husky Italian accent oozing authority. Having read the book, I knew his reel son Michael Corleone was bound to have a meatier role. So who plays Michael? Had it been a big casting blunder, for who can possibly top Brando? Especially given that the chosen actor was a complete unknown at that time, But then the wedding scene came on.

“That’s just my family Kay. That’s not me.”

And it was enough.

Erasing the intense trauma inflicted by the 'AlokNathful' Bollywood dinners, Al lent me fresh insights into what dinner conversations could lead to- from the unabashedly profane to the delightfully profound. Here are a few candid frames that teach us how one need not underline a point to drive it home.

1. Michael shoots Sollozo and Mccluskey :

Undoubtedly one of the greatest scenes in cinematic history, this is actually the one which convinced Godfather’s producers that Al was the man for the job.The impatient stares, the nervy eye-rolls, the shared restlessness while the waiter pours wine; every minute detail highlights the seething tension.

After returning from the bathroom, his subconscious inattention to Sollozo's words coupled with the music attaining the crescendo plays the perfect prelude to the spine-chilling shootings that follow. This scene truly marks the start of the breathtaking transition of his character- from Michael-ex Marine Corps to Michael- The Godfather.

2. Tony Montana’s ‘Bad Guy’ Monologue :

“Say hello to my little friend” is the quote that most take home after watching Scarface. But the film houses another gem of a scene. At the restaurant, Tony Montana dons the philosopher’s hat and launches into a whole monologue with “Is this it? That’s what it’s all about, Manny? Eating, drinking, fucking, sucking? Snorting?”

He’s no different than what we have come to expect of him: rude, angry, sloshed beyond measure but the retrospective tone he assumes here is new. He first takes shots at his junkie wife and then diverts his attention to fellow diners.

‘You need people like me so you can point your fuckin’ fingers and say, “That’s the bad guy.” So… what that make you? Good? You’re not good. You just know how to hide, how to lie. Me, I don’t have that problem. Me, I always tell the truth. Even when I lie. So say good night to the bad guy!’

The customary defiant-drunkard-makes-a-scene-at-a-public-place sequence has been over-chewed by the cinematic medium but Al nails the slurred speech and alcoholic gait with such aplomb, that one is forced to agree with his nonsensical cokehead thoughts .

3. Colonel Frank spoils Thanksgiving :

Hoo-Haa!

A man who deserved many more, Al Pacino got his sole Oscar for this role. Colonel Frank Slade. Old. Arrogant. Eccentric. Blind. By his own admission to his brother ~"I'm no fuckin' good, and I never have been".

At Thanksgiving, he tolerates all the curses and taunts Randy has in store for him, infact even agrees with him on a couple. Frank only pins Randy to the wall in a headlock when he insults Charlie. Charlie is a sweetheart and a person of integrity, a quality Frank has deep respect for. This is the turning point in their relationship. It's a beautiful dynamic having its own ebbs and flows,which eventually culminates into the iconic "I'll show you out of order" speech.